Male Infertility
- Effects Of Prolactin On Male Infertility
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Having A Male Infertility Test
- Immunological Factor and Infertility
- Infertility And Artificial Insemination
- Let's Talk About ICSI
- Male infertility
- Male Reproductive System and How it Works
- Sex On Demand
- Should ICSI Be Used For All IVF?
- Sperm And Semen Allergy
- Sperm Washing And IUI
- Surgical Option For Men With Obstructions
- Testicular Failure
- The Varicocele Myth
- Tips on How To Improve Male Infertility
- Vasectomy Reversal
- Viagra and Infertility…Is there A Link?
- Visiting The Urologist's Office
The Effects of Prolactin on Male Fertility
Just as hormones regulate every other function in our body, they regulate our sexual and reproductive operations. There are several hormones that are responsible for a healthy, normal reproductive cycle. These hormones, in proper quantity, tell the body when to create testosterone and sperm, and how much of it to make. One hormone that can upset the balance is prolactin.
Prolactin is the hormone that causes female breasts to become enlarged and milk production to be stimulated in a woman that has given birth. The usefulness of prolactin in men is unknown at this time. What is known is that an abundance of prolactin in the male, as well as female, system can cause infertility.
Prolactinoma
Prolactinomas are caused when a collection of overactive prolactin cells in the pituitary gland form a benign tumor. This tumor produces massive amounts of prolactin and interferes with the levels of gonadotropins that are released from the pituitary gland. Gonadotropins regulate the production of sperm and testosterone in the male body.
Prolactinomas also lead to the same complications experienced in hyperlactinemia (below), and the same symptoms will present. One additional symptom that may appear with prolactinoma is headaches or vision problems due to the tumor pressing against the optic nerve.
Some tumors can achieve a size of 5cm when unchecked. These are operable in some, but normally are only treated as with hyperlacitnemia. If not discovered in time these oversized tumors can cause complete, irreversible sterility.
Hyperlactinemia
Normally the male body has less than 15ng/mL of prolactin circulating in the blood. In a man that has hyperlactinemia, however, there is at least that amount in circulation. Though prolactinomas can cause hyperlactinemia, there are other conditions that can contribute to elevated levels of prolactin.
Seratonin and thyroid producing hormone both stimulate production of prolactin. Dopamine inhibits prolactin production. Anything that would interfere with the production or levels of these hormones can result in hyperlactinemia. Overactive prolactin cells, antidepressant medications, opiates, thyroid disease and shingles can also contribute to this disorder.
Hyperlactinemia has few outward symptoms, though if you are suffering from it you may experience decreased sperm count, decreased sex drive, impotence and hypogonadism (a condition whereby the testes do not produce the proper levels of testosterone). Fatigue, reduced body hair, and depression can also be associated with hyperlactinemia. One visible symptom is called gynecomastia (enlarged male breasts).
Bromocriptine and cabergoline (trade names Parlodel and Dostinex) are generally prescribed to block prolactin production. Both of these medicines are dopamine agonists, meaning they encourage production of dopamine. When these medicines are in use prolactinomas will shrink, however, they will return to their original size after the medication has ceased.
These medications will only help in those that have elevated prolactin levels, it does not promote sperm or testosterone production. They are considered to be used as fertility medicines as they are helping to treat hyperlactinemia, a cause of infertility. These medications should only be used in the care of a properly trained fertility specialist.
The specialist should be sure of the hyperlactinemia diagnosis, as bromocriptine has some uncomfortable side effects. It can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, and even tremors. Due to the degree of unpleasantness, it is normally introduced gradually to the patient. Rather than jumping into a full dose, often the patient will start with fractional doses and work up to two doses per day. Though this may help with the discomfort, it does not erase the likelihood of side effects.